It's a knockout

FA CUP-style football is about to hit the North Coast after the opening round draw for the inaugural Solo Cup was held yesterday.

Six North Coast Football teams will be chasing a share of the $10,000 prizemoney pool against 50 more teams that come from Northern NSW Football’s six other regions.

Coffs City United and Urunga have both drawn valuable home games for the opening round to be held on Saturday, March 27.

Woolgoolga and Sawtell will be travelling to Old Bar for their opening matches of the knockout competition while Northern Storm will be facing Tamworth on neutral territory at Port Macquarie’s Dixie Fields.

Reigning premiers Maclean will also be playing at a neutral venue when they meet Club Taree Wildcats in a double header at Urunga’s famed Cabbage Patch.

The official draw was released yesterday by leading football commentator Andy Harper and the CEO of Northern NSW Football David Eland along with representatives from Schweppes Australia and local teams.

Eland is pleased with the response for the Solo Cup in its inaugural year.

“The competition is a statewide knockout designed to further develop the rich football culture throughout Northern NSW and is a unique opportunity for clubs to compete against clubs from outside their regional competitions,” Eland said.

“The success of this year’s Solo Cup will certainly lead to women’s and also Over 35’s knockout competitions.”

Northern NSW Football is now trying to work towards having the winner of the Solo Cup progressing to compete against the winner of Football NSW’s equivalent competition.

The Solo Cup will culminate in finals to be held at Coffs Harbour’s BCU International Stadium in July.

SOLO CUP FIXTURES

ROUND 1 – Saturday, March 27

Coffs City United v Great Lakes Utd at Maclean Street

Bulahdelah v Sawtell and Old Bar Barbarians v Woolgoolga United at Old Bar Fields